2024 ISFA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
EDUCATION SESSION BREAKOUTS
DOMINATE

Wednesday, November 6, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Policies, Practices & Protection: Does Your Handbook Have What It Takes?

Employee handbooks are expensive for employers to develop and maintain. This session will discuss the laws, regulations, benefits and downfalls of having an employee handbook. Some courts interpret language in employee handbooks as a binding contract, so the session also covers how to avoid any unconditional promises of employment. Discuss how to make sure your handbook covers a variety of important business practices but also how to avoid an “unmanageable” handbook. The wrong employee handbook can expose you to unnecessary risks and costly mistakes this session will help you reduce those risks.

You will learn in this session:

What policies most commonly need to be customized by state and federal law.
How well-written policies can minimize your liability.
The benefits to a properly written sexual harassment policy.
How to write a proper disciplinary policy.
How to distribute an employee handbook in order to have the most valuable impact.

About Wendy Christie
Wendy Christie has over 30 years of experience in the area of Human Resources. As a human resources consultant she has helped countless companies develop legally compliant employee handbooks and documentation. Wendy has researched all 50 states employment law in the development of an employee handbook software program. Wendy has worked as a Human Resources consultant conducted over a 100 investigations covering all areas of employee relations.

Wednesday, November 6, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Make Your Life Easier Through Data-Driven Decision Making

In today’s competitive market, the core of any successful business strategy revolves around selling more products and services to customers. However, many strategies are developed without considering the most critical insights—feedback and data from the customers themselves. This session will explore how integrating data-driven decision-making into your business strategy can lead to more informed decisions, ultimately driving higher revenue and profitability. By understanding your customers' preferences, strengths, and challenges, you can refine your value proposition and outpace the competition.

You will learn in this session:

The importance of incorporating customer feedback into business strategies.
How data-driven decision-making enhances your marketing and sales plans.
Identifying customer-driven insights to refine your value proposition.
Leveraging data to confidently make more effective and profitable decisions.
Streamlining your business strategy for better outcomes and increased market share.

About Darlene Campagna
Darlene Campagna is the President and Owner of Direct Opinions, a market research firm specializing in customer experience, employee engagement, and market intelligence initiatives. With extensive experience as a data strategist, Darlene has a proven ability to help businesses leverage data to drive growth, improve customer acquisition, and enhance overall business performance.

Darlene is passionate about transforming raw data into actionable insights that fuel revenue and customer experience enhancements. Her expertise has empowered numerous organizations to grow their profitability and expand their market presence. As a testament to her impact, she has earned recognition as a catalyst for Customer Acceleration.

Wednesday, November 6, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

Accountability in the Stone Industry

Discover the Game of Stones (GOS) framework, a powerful tool for driving continuous business improvement. This session will equip you with actionable strategies to hold employees accountable, understand key metrics, scale efficiently with well-defined processes, and enhance problem-solving and communication through effective meetings. Attendees will also receive trial tools designed to improve meeting management and streamline process documentation.

You will learn in this session:

Strategies for holding employees accountable and understanding key business metrics.
Techniques for scaling your business through robust processes.
Methods for effective problem-solving and improved communication.
Tools for managing meetings and documenting processes.

About Jon Kaplan
Jon Kaplan is a leading expert in the stone industry and the Founder of Kaplan Consulting, where he specializes in turning around and growing stone fabrication businesses. His innovative Game of Stones model has been pivotal in helping companies achieve substantial growth and operational excellence. As President of Poseidon Industries, Jon has successfully implemented streamlined fabrication solutions and transformed struggling fabrication shops into profitable enterprises.

With a track record that includes taking a company public and as one of the founding partners of the Rockheads Best Practice Group, Jon is recognized for his contributions to industry standards and commercial AIA projects. His background in marketing and accounting, combined with a CPA designation, underpins his expertise and strategic insight, making him a highly respected consultant and speaker in the stone industry.

Thursday, November 7, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Recruiting & Retaining Stone Industry Talent

Explore the art of talent acquisition and retention in this engaging conversation. Learn effective strategies for finding and vetting strong candidates, ensuring a smooth hiring process, and retaining top talent within your organization. Gain insights into creating a compelling candidate experience and building an environment that fosters long-term employee engagement.

You will learn in this session:

Techniques for finding and vetting high-quality talent.
Best practices for guiding candidates through a successful hiring process.
Strategies for retaining top employees and enhancing their engagement.
Insights into creating a compelling candidate experience.

About Bo Schwarz
Bo, based in Austin, Texas, is the founder of Bronwick Recruiting, established in 2019. His expertise lies in connecting talented individuals with companies and solving challenges related to talent acquisition and retention. Bo's dedication to helping candidates find jobs they are passionate about and assisting companies in securing top talent underscores his commitment to excellence in recruiting.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Bo is an avid live music enthusiast and a competitive arm wrestler. His unique combination of industry experience and personal interests enriches his approach to recruiting and talent management.

About Travis Sterrett
Travis serves as the sales leader for Bronwick Recruiting, where he specializes in tackling the complex challenges of talent acquisition, particularly within the stone industry. His expertise lies in devising creative solutions for recruiting top talent for fabrication and slab distribution facilities, making him a valuable asset in this niche field.

Outside of work, Travis is a passionate musician who enjoys writing songs and performing with his band at local bars. He treasures weekends with his wife of 10 years and their 10-month-old daughter, and they love spending time together in coffee shops around Austin, Texas.